Elastophagocytosis and Elastolysis in Leprosy.

Elastophagocytosis is the engulfment of the elastic fibres by the histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, or both. The cutaneous lesions showing elastophagocytosis are annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma, actinic keratoses, persistent insect-bite reactions, elastosis perforans serpiginosa, foreign body granuloma. Occasionally, it may occur in infectious diseases like leprosy, granulomatous syphilis, North-American blastomycosis, bacterial folliculitis, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. We report a case of lepromatous leprosy with necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum with secondary anetoderma. Histopathology from the atrophic macule of anetoderma revealed periappendageal, perineural infiltration, elastophagocytosis and reduction in elastic fibres.

Is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus involved in community acquired skin and soft tissue infections? Experience from a tertiary care centre in Mumbai.

BACKGROUND: To improve the empiric antimicrobial therapy of community-acquired (CA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), it is necessary to generate data on the current spectrum and susceptibility profile of associated bacteria. CA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA MRSA) is increasingly being reported in SSTIs in India and globally. AIMS: The present study was undertaken to determine the bacterial profile of CA-SSTIs, to know the contribution of MRSA in these infections, to determine inducible clindamycin resistance in S. aureus and to compare the resistance patterns of isolates from hospital-acquired (HA) SSTIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and twenty patients with CA SSTIs were prospectively studied. Pus samples were cultured and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern determined. Inducible clindamycin resistance was detected by D-test. Laboratory records were analyzed retrospectively to generate data on HA SSTIs. RESULTS: 619 isolates were recovered in CA-SSTIs, of which S. aureus (73%) and Streptococci (12%) were the most common. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28%) and Acinetobacter spp (18%) were the predominant HA-SSTI pathogens. Susceptibility of CA S. aureus to antibiotics tested was, penicillin (6%), co-trimoxazole (20%), ciprofloxacin (37%), cefazolin (100%), erythromycin (84%), clindamycin (97%), gentamicin (94%) and fusidic acid (95%). No MRSA was found in CA SSTIs whereas 45% of HA S. aureus strains were methicillin-resistant. HA strains demonstrated significantly higher resistance as compared to their CA counterparts (P<0.001). D test was positive in 22% of CA S. aureus tested. CONCLUSIONS: In CA SSTIs, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus is the predominant pathogen. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins, clindamycin and erythromycin in that order can be used as suitable antimicrobials for empiric therapy. D test should be carried out routinely. No CA MRSA was detected in the present series.

A comparison of systemic photochemotherapy with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and with trimethylpsoralen (TMP) in vitiligo.

Oral 8-MOP and TMP were compared in the PUVA therapy for vitiligo. Group A (25 cases) was initiated on 0.3 mg/kg of 8-MOP with 1/2 Joule/cm2 of UVA and weekly increments of 1/2 Joule/ cm2 and Group B was started on 0.6 mg/kg of TMP with 1 Joule/cm2 of UVA and weekly increments of 1 Joule/cm2. Therapy was given thrice a week. Repigmentation was evaluated by using a 0-6 scale. At the end of 60 sittings, on acceptable cosmetic response was seen over the face, neck and upper extremities in both groups, while trunk and lower extremities showed lesser response. 8-MOP gave earlier response, needing a lower cumulative UVA dose i.e. 75 J/cm2 as compared to TMP i.e. 106 J/cm2. Phototoxicity was seen more often with 8-MOP. In conclusion, in Indians, 8-MOP is the drug of choice in PUVA therapy of vitiligo provided precautions against phototoxicity are adequate.

Disseminate and persistent infundibulo-folliculitis.

An 18-year-old girl presented with a persistent skin eruption of 6 years duration. She had skin-coloured follicular papules involving the trunk, proximal extremities, neck and face. Histopathology revealed spongiosis of the follicular infundibulum and infiltration with lymphocytes and neutrophils. Treatment with oral vitamin A and topical retinoic acid was ineffective.

Comparison of topical methenamine, glutaraldehyde and tap water Iontophoresis for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

Sixty patients with palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis were studied to compare the efficacy and safety of topical methenamine in the treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis with established therapies like glutaraldehyde and tap water iontophoresis. Patients were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups: topical Methenamine (10%) solution, topical Glutaraldehyde (5% for palms and 10% for soles) and tap water iontophoresis. Hyperhidrosis was graded into 4 grades. The total duration of therapy was 4 weeks for all the 3 groups. Patients were followed up weekly for 4 weeks and 2 weeks after completion of therapy. Response to therapy was evaluated by the change in the grade of hyperhidrosis. Side-effects like irritation and pigmentation were looked for at every follow up. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used for comparison between changes in grading of 2 groups. It showed that methenamine is superior to tap water iontophoresis and acts faster than glutaraldehyde. Fewer side effects were noted with mether amine.

Alagille syndrome. A case report.

A 5-year-old physically and mentally retarded female child born of non-consanguineous parents, who had had disseminated skin lesions for 4 1/2 years, is presented. She had persistent neonatal jaundice associated with clay-coloured stools and generalized pruritus which receded by the age of 2 years. Examination revealed characteristic facies, moderate hepatosplenomegaly, cardiac murmur and widespread smooth yellow papules and nodules on ears, trunk, bony prominences and palms. Ophthalmic examination revealed corneal opacities. Liver function tests and lipidogram were abnormal. A diagnosis of Watson-Alagille Syndrome was made on the basis of characteristic facies, xanthomatosis and cholestatic jaundice.